"The DVSA have announced that driving instructors will be allowed to take learners on motorways from 4 June 2018.Only approved driving instructors with dual controlled cars will be allowed to give motorway lessons. They will only do this if they are confident the learner has the skills and knowledge to drive on the motorway safely."

I think it is a good idea but I'm sure the instructors will feel very vulnerable. Especially if sticking rigorously to the displayed speed on the dash.

Mike Roberts - Now riding a Triumph Explorer XRT. My username comes from my 50K miles on a Kawasaki 1400GTR, after may years on Hondas of various shapes and styles. - https://tinyurl.com/mikerobertsonyoutube

GTR1400MAN wrote:I think it is a good idea but I'm sure the instructors will feel very vulnerable. Especially if sticking rigorously to the displayed speed on the dash.

Nah, motorway speeds seem to have dropped over the last 10 or 15 years. Some is due to congestion, not sure about the rest, maybe fear of prosecution or for economy, but you can often sit at a true 70mph and be one of the faster cars. Sure, going by dash speed will reduce it a bit, but I don't think you will be vulnerable. Try a Caterham on the M25 for that effect.

Luckily we don't have any motorways near us, but even on dual carriageways when riding at an indicated 70 you are often the slowest thing around and need very good awareness of what is going on behind you.

Mike Roberts - Now riding a Triumph Explorer XRT. My username comes from my 50K miles on a Kawasaki 1400GTR, after may years on Hondas of various shapes and styles. - https://tinyurl.com/mikerobertsonyoutube

GTR1400MAN wrote:I think it is a good idea but I'm sure the instructors will feel very vulnerable. Especially if sticking rigorously to the displayed speed on the dash.

Sorry but isn't that the speed not to be exceeded under any circumstances on the IAM test?

I loved a story I once read on the old IAM forum. At the start of an IAM test a candidate said to the examiner "I will be using my GPS to give me my speed". The examiner replied "That's fine. I'll be using your speedometer."

Taffy wrote:I loved a story I once read on the old IAM forum. At the start of an IAM test a candidate said to the examiner "I will be using my GPS to give me my speed". The examiner replied "That's fine. I'll be using your speedometer."

They'd be welcome to in the Caterham. It bounces around +/- about 15 mph and ignoring the error bars, it underreads by a good 10%

martine wrote:"The DVSA have announced that driving instructors will be allowed to take learners on motorways from 4 June 2018.Only approved driving instructors with dual controlled cars will be allowed to give motorway lessons. They will only do this if they are confident the learner has the skills and knowledge to drive on the motorway safely."

Thoughts?

As with the graduated licences thread the 'dual controlled cars' mention is interesting. Unlike on most other roads, a big (possibly the biggest) potential danger would be driving too slowly due to nervousness etc. Unless 'dual controls' means complete dual controls (including the steering wheel) it is difficult to work out how the instructor would (safely) be able to deal with that.....

martine wrote:"The DVSA have announced that driving instructors will be allowed to take learners on motorways from 4 June 2018.Only approved driving instructors with dual controlled cars will be allowed to give motorway lessons. They will only do this if they are confident the learner has the skills and knowledge to drive on the motorway safely."

Thoughts?

As with the graduated licences thread the 'dual controlled cars' mention is interesting. Unlike on most other roads, a big (possibly the biggest) potential danger would be driving too slowly due to nervousness etc. Unless 'dual controls' means complete dual controls (including the steering wheel) it is difficult to work out how the instructor would (safely) be able to deal with that.....

Regarding the steering wheel. Lean across and take control as they would normally. Driving too slowly. Verbal encouragement. But I would imagine they wouldn't take a learner onto a motorway until they have had sufficient practice on faster dual carriageways, and a basic knowlege of motorway procedures.